Caring About The Way You Drive

Thomas Chicka

11-29-2020

Caring About The Way You Drive

As a teen driver, the danger that could potentially come about from my daily driving activities is something that often crosses my mind. Thankfully, I went through a very thorough driver’s education program that has helped me stay safe on the roads. Programs like the one I attended are one of the most important variables in reducing the startling rate of teen driver deaths. I was privileged to attend such an in-depth course but am aware that other people are not as lucky.

If more people are given the means to attend formal and intensive driver’s education, it is without a doubt that teen driver deaths would be reduced. Most people already know what good versus bad driving habits look like, but they might not have the tools to put good habits into practice. The difference between those people and the ones who are naturally good at driving could be boiled down to the level of driving education they have. In the 20 total hours of behind-the-wheel training I received before I was allowed to get my license, I learned some of the defensive driving habits that have kept me out of crashes on multiple occasions. Without the proper knowledge of how to drive defensively, people are less likely to see a possible collision coming before it is too late to prevent it.

Through my experience being a passenger in my friend’s cars I have witnessed distracted and dangerous driving on multiple occasions. Whether someone is using a phone, not paying attention to other drivers, or simply going too fast; I always try to correct the behavior I see as it is happening. I understand that it is my safety on the line if I’m in the car of someone who is driving irresponsibly; and so it is my responsibility to make sure the driver fixes their behavior before it is too late. This has the potential to lead to some awkward interactions but is much better than the potential alternative of being involved in an accident.

Some of the steps that can be taken to better the driving of myself and others on the road is to always be self-checking driving habits being practiced. We are all our own biggest critics, so we are the ones who can have the biggest impact on improving our own driving. If we better understand our own driving habits (good or bad) then it becomes much easier to pick up new ones or kick old ones. The mindfulness of driving behaviors can best be spread to others through personal interactions between friends and relatives because this type of information means more when it comes from someone you’re already close with. Showing that you care about the way someone drives is a great way to show that you care about them as a whole because it demonstrates that you want them to stay safe on the roads.